The 2025 marathon is around the corner!

Get ready swimmers and supporters! The Flying Fish swim marathon will be held January 31-February 2.


  • All Flying Fish who are part of the winter season, except for high school swimmers, will participate.


  • Each swimmer will swim as many lengths as possible for an hour in the upstairs pool. (Greenfish will swim for 30 minutes in the downstairs pool.)


  • Swimmers are assigned a time for their marathon swims based on practice groups. (We'll share the schedule soon.)


  • Swimmers need to be accompanied by at least one person who will count their lengths, but you can have as many as you want cheering you on!
Why we do the marathon

The marathon provides an important benchmark of swimming development and progress. And it provides an opportunity for swimmers to challenge themselves and learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.


The marathon is also a valuable fundraiser. Money raised from the marathon goes to all of YWCA Evanston/North Shore and helps the organization:

  • provide healthy aquatic programming in a variety of ways;
  • offer scholarships/financial aid to those who otherwise would not be able to afford swim lessons or swim team;
  • support the families who access our domestic violence services and other social justice programs; and
  • bring violence prevention programming to local schools.


Want more about why the marathon matters? Read this piece from SwimSwam.

How to sign up for your swim

  • In the weeks ahead, you will receive an email from your coach with your group's scheduled time(s) for the marathon. Simply reply to your coach's email to confirm your swim.


  • If you can't swim during your scheduled time, we will find a make-up time for you.

How to raise funds

You can raise funds in two ways:

  1. Solicit supporters on your own by simply asking for donations. (You can suggest an amount or ask someone to give on a "per length" basis.)
  2. Create an online fundraising page by clicking on the button below.


If you solicit sponsors on your own, you can collect checks (made out to YWCA Evanston/North Shore) or cash. Funds are NOT due on marathon weekend.


Not sure how many lengths you'll swim? Email your coach for an estimate.


Our fundraising goal is $80,000.

Create a fundraising page

Recognition and prizes

We will recognize the highest total lengths swum per age group at the end of the season.


All marathon participants will receive an event t-shirt, a bag tag, and an invitation to a t-shirt making/pool party at the YWCA on March 15.


Fundraisers who raise $125 or more can earn additional prizes:

  • $125 - $299 -- Two personalized swim caps and one cinch bag with Flying Fish logo
  • $300 - $499 -- One quarter-zip pullover with Flying Fish logo
  • $500 - $724 -- One team towel with Flying Fish logo
  • $725 - $974 – Flick-n-Float party at YWCA on March 21 from 5:00-7:15pm
  • $975 and above -- One hoodie and sweatpants set


Note: Prizes are cumulative. For example, if you raise $300 - $499 you'll receive the event t-shirt, bag tag, t-shirt making/pool party, two personalized swim caps, one cinch bag, and the quarter-zip pullover.


Since every marathon participant receives a prize, all swimmers must submit a prize form by February 28.

Thank you

Many thanks to our swimmers, parents, family members, and caregivers for being part of the Flying Fish community and this special event. We couldn't do it without you!


If you're interested in additional ways of supporting the marathon, contact Pete.

YWCA Flying Fish | 847-864-8445 | flyingfish@ywca-ens.org | www.ywca-ens.org
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